May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day! God bless those who gave their all, those who have served and still serve, and their families!

The history of Memorial Day: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

MODERN QUILT E-BOOK

http://www.quiltershomemag.com/modern-quilting-primer.html

Just fill in your email address and you can download a free e-book.

SIMPLE SASHING QUILT FOR CHARITY

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171480.asp

For those who make quilts for Project Linus, or any of the 101 other charity groups out there, here is a simple quilt pattern.

POSTAGE STAMP QUILT TUTORIAL

http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com/wordpress/2010/05/postage-stamp-quilt-block-tutorial/

This quilter makes postage stamp quilts look easy enough. Now if I can just overcome the urge to coordinate things.

CANADIAN QUILT OF BELONGING

http://www.invitationproject.ca/quilt.htm

WOW! This is fantastic! Thanks to Barbara Kennedy for sending this one.

FABRIC ORIGAMI QUILT SQUARE

http://www.instructables.com/id/Fabric-Origami-Quilt-Block/

Click on “Next Step” to get all the directions. This is SEW cool!

HOW TO MACHINE QUILT – PREP, TOOLS & TIPS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiJllrOdrZ4&feature=player_embedded#at=12

If you haven’t yet found You Tube, be sure to watch this one. There are lots of quilty videos out there.

MIGUEL’S QUILT

http://lynbrown.com/?p=3302&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+lynbrown+(LynBrownDotCom)

Lyn Brown finds quilt patterns in everyday life – driving down the road or the floor in a restaurant.

SEW EASY – SEW QUICK BABY QUILT

http://thequiltedfish.typepad.com/the-quilted-fish/2011/03/sweet-divinity-diamond-quilt.html

This is such a cute and quick quilt. I think I’ll make one up in hopes I need a baby girl gift.

QUIRKY CELEBRATIONS

Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day

Water a Flower Day

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

World No-Tobacco Day

National Macaroon Day

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Flip a Coin Day

Thursday, June 2, 2011

National Bubba Day

Friday, June 3, 2011

National Doughnut Day

Repeat Day (I said “Repeat Day”)

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Applesauce Cake Day

Old Maid’s Day

Sunday, June 5, 2011

World Environment Day

WHAT’S FOR DINNER

Instead of providing you with a recipe, I’m giving you another link.

http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/piesbakedintinyjars/

This gal makes the cutest little pies in little canning jars. Maybe I have found a use for all those little jars I just can’t throw away. And… they look SEW good!!!  (I love the name of her blog!)

Have a great week!

“I got a sewing machine for my husband! Good trade, huh?” 

       ~Author Unknown

May 22, 2011

I HAVE TO LET YOU IN ON A GREAT SALE! $1.99 PER HALF YARD. Shipping is free when you spend $50.00. I didn’t see an end date. Happy shopping!

http://www.quiltersparadiseonline.com/Cottons-1-99-per-Half-Yard-s/282.htm

PURSES, PURSES, AND MORE PURSES

http://pursepatterns.com/free_bag_patterns.html

I can’t believe all these purse patterns.

LOTS OF FREE PROJECTS

http://www.windhamfabrics.net/cgi-bin/fabricshop/projects.cgi

Sew, sew many free patterns from Windham Fabrics.

MAKING ENDS MEET

http://www.patchworktimes.com/patterns/making-ends-meet/

Very colorful quilt – free pattern.

HOW TO MAKE A HANGING SLEEVE TUTORIAL

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/3789

This is very handy to know.

MORE FREE PATTERNS

http://www.lecien.co.jp/en/hobby/patterns/index.html

More patterns to add to my growing list of things to do.  SEW many patterns…. SEW little time!

QUILTING OLYMPIC SYLE

http://visualingual.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/sochi-xxii-olympic-winter-games-identity/

The flags and T-shirts for the 2014 Winter games in Sochi, Russia are super, but I do love the car!

LOTS MORE FREE PATTERNS

http://freequiltpatterns.blogspot.com/

I’m not the only one on-line who seeks out quilt related sites. This gal has a SUPER list of free sites if you choose to go through them all or just pick one theme type, ie Sunbonnet Sue, and check out those particular ones.

30 NEW SEWING AND CRAFTS PROJECTS

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/quilting/sewing-and-quilting-crafts-projects/

You can’t do much better than Better Homes and Gardens for the great free projects.

QUIRKY CELEBRATIONS

Monday, May 23, 2011

Lucky Penny Day

International World Turtle Day

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

National Escargot Day

Hug Your Cat Day

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Towel Day

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tap Dance Day

Birthdays of Sally Ride and John Wayne

Friday, May 27, 2011

Sun Screen Day

National Wig Out Day

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Blueberry Cheesecake Day

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Slugs Return from Capistrano Day

WHAT’S FOR DINNER

HOT FUDGE SUNDAE CAKE

OMG! Does it get any better than this!?!?!? A warm, delicious way to enjoy a hot fudge sundae! Go ahead and add ice cream for a homemade parlor treat.

Ingredients:

1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons baking cocoa

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts, if desired

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/4  cup baking cocoa

1-3/4 cups very hot water

Ice cream, if desired

1.     Heat oven to 350ºF.

2.     Mix flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, the baking powder and salt in ungreased square pan, 9x9x2 inches. Mix in milk, oil and vanilla with fork until smooth. Stir in nuts. Spread in pan.

3.     Sprinkle brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa over batter. Pour water over batter.

4.     Bake about 40 minutes or until top is dry.

5.     Spoon warm cake into dessert dishes. Top with ice cream. Spoon sauce from pan onto each serving.

Makes 9 servings

Special Touch

Have an ice-scream! Serve up this fun dessert at your next get-together and include other ice-cream toppings such as chopped nuts, crushed cookies, candy sprinkles and maraschino cherries.

Substitution

Rise to the occasion! If using self-rising flour, there is no need to add baking powder and salt.

Until next week!

When life hands you scraps, make quilts.

PROUD MOM!

I am so focused in my little blog-world on providing friends with the best quilting/sewing sites I can find, that I have been remiss in doing a little bragging about my DD, Joy. She just graduated from Waylon Baptist University with her Masters in Business. I am SEW proud of her!!! Way to go, Joy!  Maybe I should mention here that Joy is in her 40's and never finished high school!

May 15, 2011

Happy Sunday! The weather is glorious and it’s a great day. 

For those of you who like getting a bargain and expanding your library, C&T Publishing is having a super Spring Fling Sale. Today is the last day you can take advantage of these great prices.

http://www.ctpub.com/showproducts.cfm?Step=1&CrossCatID=23

FABRIC COLLAGE QUILTS

http://www.susancarlson.com/Welcome.html

This is definitely eye candy. I’d love to attend her retreat.

SPRING VIOLETS

http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/links/springviolets.html

What a pretty pincushion! Almost too pretty to stick pins in it.

FREE PATTERNS

http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/free-downloads-pages-748.php

Lots of patterns to download from McCalls.

NEW BOM – HAND EMBROIDERED CROSSES

http://allthingscrafty.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-freebie-crosses-of-ryan-tarah-bom.html

This is the first posting of twelve. It’s going to be beautiful!

HEXAGON QUILT

http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/hexagon_quilt/index.htm

Janet does a very different take on a hexagon or Grandmother’s Flower Garden. This is SEW cute!

QUILTING EYE CANDY FROM DOWN UNDER

http://sydneyscquilters.blogspot.com/

These Aussie gals do some great work. I love to see what other quilters have done.

QUILTS FOR MOTHER

I just had to post this picture for all of you. This quilt (yes, it’s a quilt) was one of three winners in a Quilts for Mother contest. I think I would do physical harm to my daughter if she did a quilt with ME like that. 

QUIRKY CELEBRATIONS

Monday, May 16, 2011

Biographer’s Day

National Sea Monkey Day

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

World Hypertension Day

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Turn Your Beauty Inside Out Day

Visit Your Relatives Day

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Man Ray Day

Friday, May 20, 2011

Eliza Doolittle Day

Rhubarb Day

Saturday, May 21, 2011

National Waitstaff Day

I Need a Patch For That Day

Sunday, May 22, 2011

National Maritime Day

WHAT’S FOR DINNER (OR MAYBE BREAKFAST)

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Much easier to make than actual cinnamon rolls, these quick-fix muffins have a similar great taste! The delicious aroma will sure to wake everyone with a simple smile on their face! Serve warm for the best flavor.

Topping:

5 Tbsp. butter, room temperature

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup pecans, chopped

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.

Muffins:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400⁰F. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and whisk well. Make a well in the center and add eggs, milk and oil. Stir until thoroughly moistened; do not over beat. Batter will be thick. Fill greased muffin pans 2/3 full or use paper liners. Spoon a dollop of topping onto the center of each muffin. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until done being careful not to let topping burn. Remove from pans immediately and allow to cool slightly on a wire rack. Drizzle each muffin with a glaze of 2/3 cup powdered sugar and 1-2 tsps. of milk blended thoroughly and dropped with a fork.

Yield: about 10 muffins.

Enjoy your week!

When life hands you scraps, make quilts.

May 8, 2011

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

One of the early calls to celebrate Mother's Day in the United States was the "Mother's Day Proclamation" by Julia Ward Howe. Written in 1870, it was a pacifist reaction to the carnage of the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War. The Proclamation was tied to Howe's feminist belief that women had a responsibility to shape their societies at the political level

International Women's Day was celebrated for the first time in 28 February 1909, in the US, by which time Anna Jarvis had already begun her national campaign in the US. It is now celebrated in many countries on March 8.

NEW FREE PATTERNS

http://www.connectingthreads.com/Patterns/Free_Quilting_and_Sewing_Patterns__L601021.html

Connecting Threads has added more free patterns to their site.

CRUMB CHAOS QUILT

http://quiltingisstillmypassion.blogspot.com/2007/07/mile-minute-blocks-photo-tutorial.html

A great way to use up scraps.

MINI QUILT OF THE MONTH

http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/category/mini-quilts

An on-going monthly series, but previous month’s are still available.

1 MILLION FREE QUILT PATTERNS

http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/custom/quilt-pattern-playground/quilt-pattern-playground.php?id=01-1615142612-b47041556283318132738b57041555273318122738-b19-f134f101f104

You can spend all day scrolling through all of these FREE patterns. WOW!

15 MINUTES TO PLAY

http://www.15minutesplay.com/

Do you have just a few minutes to “play”? This site is for you! Included is a great tutorial for a very scrappy star.  This quilter plays with scraps and comes up with some great ideas with free piecing and slashing them. Super concept!

PLAID FOR DAD QUILT

http://carterquilter.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/plaid-for-dad-quilt.pdf

I know today is Mother’s Day, but if you are like me you need LOTS of time to get stuff done. This would be great in fishing, golfing, patriotic, whatever he likes.

QUIRKY CELEBRATIONS

Monday, May 9, 2011

Lost Sock Memorial Day (A moment of silence, please)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Clean Up Your Room Day (And mine really needs it)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Eat What You Want Day (I thought this was Everyday!)

Twilight Zone Day

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Limerick Day

Friday, May 13, 2011

Friday the Thirteenth!!!  Oh, Dear!

Blame Someone Else Day

Saturday, May 14, 2011

National Train Day

Dance Like a Chicken Day (no comment necessary)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Nylon Stockings Day (Not for me!)

National Chocolate Chip Day

WHAT’S FOR DINNER

Boston Cream Pie Made Over

1 pkg. (1.0 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding

1-1/2 cups cold fat-free milk

1 cup thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping, divided

1 prepared round angel food cake (10 oz.), cut horizontally into 3 layers

1 square BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped

Beat pudding mix and milk in medium bowl with whisk for 2 minutes. Stir in ½ cup COOL WHIP. Stack cake layers on serving plate, spreading pudding mixture between layers. Microwave chocolate and remaining COOL WHIP in microwaveable bowl on High 30 seconds; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Spoon over cake. Refrigerate 1 hour, or up until 4 hours, removing from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.

Have a great week!

Really I don't dislike to cook, but what you cook is eaten so quickly.  When you sew, you have something that will last to show for your efforts. 

    ~ Elizabeth Travis Johnson